Ballast water, bilge water, slop water, or oily water treatment systems and related methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are remote oily water treatment systems, including systems and related methods of remote oily water treatment with point-of-treatment discharge of treated water. In a preferred embodiment, (a) oily water is treated at a location proximate to where the oily water by passing the oily water through a tank containing a medium defined by at least one polymer mixed with activated carbon and (b) treated water is discharged at the point-of-treatment of the oily water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BYREFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR

Reserved for a later date, if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter is in the field of remote oily watertreatment systems, including systems and related methods of remote oilywater treatment with point-of-treatment discharge of treated water.

Background of the Invention

Oily waters, i.e., oils mixed or otherwise intermingled with waters,represent a general category of pollutant inherent to any industrializedeconomies that are energized by fossil fuels. Oily waters are typicallythe result of either (a) spills of oil reserves (e.g., oil spilledduring transport or storage of oil products) or (b) oil leaks fromrunning machinery (e.g., during operation of oil using generators, aircompressors, or engines). Oily waters can also contain other non-oilcontaminants like dissolved solids and biological species. Oily watersare environmentally destructive and therefore, the handling and disposalof such waste by its creators is heavily regulated by national (i.e.,local) and international (i.e., regional or global) laws.

Typically, creators of oily waters are obligated by law to clean theiroily waters to an acceptable water purity. Acceptably pure water may belegally discharged to the environment while the removed oil and othercontaminants must be appropriately recycled, discarded, or destroyed.Violation of laws that govern the discharge of treated water can beseverely punished, usually by hefty monetary fines. Treating oily wateris expensive, but the punishments/fines imposed for failing to treatoily water outweigh the costs of treatment. Thus, a need exists foreconomical water treatment systems capable of cleaning oily waters to anacceptable water purity so that the treated water can be discharged tothe environment while the oil and other contaminants are recycled,discarded, or destroyed.

Processes for treating oily water now exist. However, severalcomplications can arise with regard to the treatment of oily waters. Forinstance, oily waters are known to be remotely created on land, atinland waterways (lakes and streams), or at sea so that the oily-watermust be either (a) collected and transported from the remote location toa land-based treatment facility for water purification or (b) collectedand treated by a portable treatment facility that has been delivered tothe locale of the oily water. Collection and subsequent transport ofoily water to a treatment facility is particularly problematic becausethe practice is expensive, is time consuming, requires cargo routesto-and-from the remotely created waste, requires a large footprint forthe full-scale treatment facility, and involves subjecting the oilywater waste to the jurisdiction of several regulatory agencies that donot have identical regulations. Delivery of a treatment facility toremotely created oily waters is also a problematic practice becauseknown portable treatment facilities do not have the efficacy or capacityof full-scale water treatment sites and water purity standards fordischarged water are usually more stringent at the remote location thanfor discharge locations of full-scale water treatment sites. In view ofthe foregoing, a need exists for oily water treatment systems that are(a) deliverable to remote locations, (b) have the efficacy and capacityof full-scale treatment sites, and (c) are capable of attaining waterpurity for acceptable point-of-treatment discharge of treated water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at accessible locations. First, oily water isgenerated, e.g., by leaking machinery. Second, a hazmat wastetransporter collects the oily water and transports the waste to afull-scale land-based treatment facility. Third, the waste is treated bythe full-scale land-based treatment facility and discharged to theland-sewer. Fourth, publically owned treatment works collect and treatthe influent. Finally, the treated effluent is discharged to the ocean.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at inland waterways (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands)or other inaccessible locations. First, oily water is generated, e.g.,by oil spill. Second, a spill response team assesses whether the wastecan be accessed and IF not the waste is not cleaned or ELSE roads orother pathways are built to the oily water. It is important to note thatIF a road or pathway cannot be built, THEN the oily water would not getcleaned up. Third, a hazmat waste transporter collects the oily water,e.g., via a plurality of trucks, and transports the waste to afull-scale land-based treatment facility. Fourth, the waste is treatedby the full-scale land-based treatment facility and discharged to theland-sewer. Fifth, publically owned treatment works collect and treatthe oily water. Finally, the treated effluent is discharged to theocean.

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean. First, oily water is generated, e.g., byoil spill from a ship, pipeline or platform. Second, a spill responseteam collects the oily water onto the storage tanks of a barge orvessel. Third, the barge or vessel is returned to port. Fourth, a hazmatwaste transporter collects the oily water, e.g., via a plurality oftrucks, and transports the waste to a full-scale land-based treatmentfacility. Fifth, the waste is treated by the full-scale land-basedtreatment facility and discharged to the land-sewer. Sixth, publicallyowned treatment works collect and treat the oily water. Finally, thetreated effluent is discharged to the ocean.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean. First, oily water is generated, e.g., byleaking machinery on board a vessel service (e.g., bilge water, slopwater (“slops”), ballast water, gray water, FOG water (fats, oils,greases). Second, EITHER a spill response team collects the oily waterfrom the generating vessel and loads the same onto the storage tanks ofa second barge or vessel OR the oily water is collected and stored onboard the waste generating vessel. Third, the barge or vessel containingthe waste is returned to port. Fourth, a hazmat waste transportercollects the oily water, e.g., via a plurality of trucks, and transportsthe waste to a full-scale land-based treatment facility. Fifth, thewaste is treated by the full-scale land-based treatment facility anddischarged to the land-sewer. Sixth, publically owned treatment workscollect and treat the oily water. Finally, the treated effluent isdischarged to the ocean.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,060 (issued Jun. 16, 1998) by Hanrahan discloses “abonded polymer filter medium and its use.” The “bonded multi-componentfilter system preferably contains at least two active components,namely, activated carbon adsorbent and a blend of at least two organicpolymer absorbents.” Abstract.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,091 (issued Aug. 3, 1999) by the U.S. Navy disclosesan “oily waste water treatment system.” This system operates aboard awaste generating ship or vessel for small-scale and onboard treatment ofany onboard generated oily water. In the system, the effluent outflowfrom a shipboard oil/water separator is further reduced in oil contentby passage through ultrafiltration membranes arranged in series as anadded downstream treatment prior to overboard discharge. See abstract.The system involves back flushing with potable water and the heating ofthe water.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,232 (issued Sep. 2, 2003) by Chesner and Melrosediscloses a “mobile floating water treatment vessel.” The “floatingmobile self-contained membrane filtration treatment vessel” is “suitablefor use in the treatment of contaminated marine waters and shipboardwastes, including, but not limited to, ballast water, gray water, andblack water and excess dredge waters.” Abstract. The mobile treatmentvessel preferably includes a micro or ultrafiltration membrane treatmentsystem for micron and submicron sized particulate removal. Id.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,267 (issued Nov. 20, 2007) by Denton et al.discloses an “oil-sorbing filter element.” This is a small-scale“oil-sorbing filter element for removing oil from an aqueous flow suchas the bilge water of a water craft.” Abstract. “The element includes afirst stage which is formed of a consolidated permeable mass ofoleophilic polymeric material such as styrenic mid-block co-polymer.”Id.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to discloseremote oily water treatment systems, including systems and relatedmethods of remote oily water treatment with point-of-treatment dischargeof treated water. It is a further objective to disclose oily watertreatment systems that comply with applicable water purity standards sothat penalties and fines to oily water generating entities are reduced.It is further an objective of this disclosure to disclose oily watertreatment facilities that have a small footprint and that do not damagethe environment during oily water cleanup. It is yet another objectiveof this disclosure to illustrate water treatment systems that reduce thehazardous waste generated during water treatment. Yet still, it is anobjective of this disclosure to describe water treatment systems thatreduce manpower and cleanup time relative to known water treatmentsystems. Another objective is to disclose systems for treating oilywater that work in both salt and fresh water environments without theneed to have the oily water hauled off-site.

In one embodiment, the water treatment process involves: (a) collectingthe oily water in a storage tank; (b) separating the oil from the watervia an oil-water separator or by a settling tank; (c) passing (i) theseparated water through a bag filter to remove large solid waste anddebris and (ii) the oil to a holding tank; (d) passing the bag filteredwater through a sand filter to remove small solid waste and debris; (e)passing the sand filtered water through flocculation to promoteagglomeration and settling of particulate wastes; (f) pass theflocculated water into a settling tank; (g) separating the water fromthe agglomerated and settled particulate wastes; (h) passing (i) thewater through media tanks for cleansing the water to a particular purityand (ii) the agglomerated and settled particulate wastes to a filterpress; (j) passing the cleansed water through an ultraviolet lighttreatment to purge or otherwise address any biological materials in thewater; (I) placing the purged (or otherwise addressed) water in holdingtanks; and (k) discharging the water on-location where the oily waterwas generated or collected. Suitably, the media tanks are coated steeltanks (e.g., polyester coated steel tanks) filled with a polymer bondmedia mixture comprising at least one polymer mixed with activatedcarbon. In a preferred embodiment, the media tank optionally features aconnection to an air compressor to lift and/or circulate the polymerbond media mixture within the tank.

In one embodiment, the storage tank, oil-water separator, bag filter,holding tank, sand filter, flocculation tank, settling tank, mediatanks, filter press, ultraviolet light treatment, and holding tanksdefine a kit that may be assembled on-location. In another embodiment,said components are assembled on a ship or other vessel. In yet anotherembodiment, said components are assembled in a shipping container. Inyet another embodiment, the components are assembled in a truck trailer.In yet still another embodiment, the components are assembled in aportable container that is deliverable via helicopter or drone. In atypical mode of operation, a treatment system is delivered to a locationwhere oily water is generated or collected, the oily water is passedthrough the delivered system, and the water effluent is dischargedon-location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilledin the art once the invention has been shown and described. The mannerin which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can beobtained is explained in the following description and attached figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at accessible locations;

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at inland waterways (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands)or other inaccessible locations;

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean;

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean;

FIG. 5A is a preferred embodiment of the disclosed system of oily watertreatment;

FIG. 5B is another preferred embodiment of the disclosed system of oilywater treatment where the system is assembled on a ship or vessel;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram for generally illustrating the cleanupof oily waters via the disclosed system of oily water treatment shown inFIG. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram for the cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at accessible locations via the disclosed system ofoily water treatment;

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at inland waterways (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands)or other inaccessible locations via the disclosed system of oily watertreatment;

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean via the disclosed system of oily watertreatment;

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean via the disclosed system of oily watertreatment;

FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram for the cleanup of oily watersinitially by a third party hazmat waste transporter and,

FIG. 12 is a diagram for (a) changing a vessel's bilge and/or otherwaste waters to ballast water via the disclosed system of oily watertreatment and (b) simultaneously providing waste water treatment and/orcollection services and fueling services to a single vessel.

In the drawings, the follow numerals make the below correspondingdesignations:

-   ship or vessel 1000;-   bag or screen filter 1100;-   primary storage tank 1150;-   oil storage tank 1250;-   water tank 1200;-   primary treatment tanks 1300;-   filter press 1320;-   storage tank 1350;-   bin 1400;-   sand filter 1450;-   diatomaceous earth (DE) filter 1500;-   media tank 1550;-   UV system 1600; and,-   storage tank 1650.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by thosereasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are notnecessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed are remote oily water treatment systems, including systems andrelated methods of remote oily water treatment with point-of-treatmentdischarge of treated water. In a preferred embodiment, (a) oily water istreated at a location proximate to where the oily water by passing theoily water through a tank containing a medium defined by at least onepolymer mixed with activated carbon and (b) treated water is dischargedat the point-of-treatment of the oily water. The more specific detailsof the system are disclosed in connection with FIGS. 5A through 10.

FIG. 5A is a general process diagram for treating oily water accordingto the disclosed system. As shown, oily water slops may be placedcollected and passed through a bag filter to remove large solid wasteand debris. Next, bag filtered water may be forwarded to a storage tankso that the oil and water may separate into layers. Suitably, emulsifiedoily water slops may be passed through an oil and water separator. In apreferred embodiment, an oil separation tank is employed when oily watercontains high enough concentration of oil to be recovered and recycled.A preferred size of tank is a three to five thousand gallon collapsibletank that is designed to be self-supporting without framework, In otherembodiments, a larger metal “baker tank” can be used. Preferably, theoil layer or oil from the separator may be recycled, destroyed, orotherwise discarded. In one instance, the oil can be provided to threehundred and thirty gallon totes for removal from the treatment site.Typically, the water layer or water from the oil water separator maystill contain oil and must be further treated. Suitably, said waterlayer may be passed through a sand filter to remove small solid wasteand debris. In one embodiment, pool type sand filters can be employed,including #18 playground sand, crushed walnut shell, and the like. In apreferred embodiment, sand is provided to the filters on-location. Aftersand filtration, the water may be flocculated to promote agglomerationand settling of particulate wastes. Suitably, flocculated water may beplaced into a settling tank so that the water may be separated from theagglomerated and settled particulate wastes. In a preferred process, theagglomerated and settled particulate wastes are passed through a filterpress while the cleansed water is passed through media tanks forcleansing the water of any remaining oil to a particular purity.Optionally, the purified water may be purged of biological materials viaultraviolet light treatment. Ultimately, the treated water is dischargedto the environment at the location or point of treatment. Suitably, thesystem uses a preferred filtration system that is superior to Carbonbased filters. The preferred filtration system can separate emulsifiedoil from water and can also absorb free product (free product representscontaminants that are separate from the water to be treated rather thancontaminants in solution with the water to be treated; free product isusually a measurable and easily removable quantity of oil).

One important step in the above described processes is the passing ofwater through media tanks for removing of oil to a particular waterpurity. In a preferred embodiment, the media is stored in a polyestercoated steel tank coupled to an air compressor that passes air throughthe tank with a result that the media does not stagnate. In a preferredembodiment, the outflow from the tank is closed while air is passed intothe tank. In one embodiment, the media is a bonded polymer filter mediumcomprising a mixture of at least one polymer and activated carbon.Several possible options for suitable media are disclosed by U.S. Pat.No. 5,767,060 (issued Jun. 16, 1998) by Hanrahan. The Hanrahan patent ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the storage tank, oil-water separator, bag filter,holding tank, sand filter, flocculation tank, settling tank, mediatanks, filter press, ultraviolet light treatment, and holding tanksdefine a kit that may be assembled on-location. Each component in thekit may be suitably transferable in its own right for assembly of thesystem at the remote location. Components may variously feature forklift holds and harness holds for movement of the components. In anotherembodiment, said components are assembled on a ship or other vessel. SeeFIG. 5B. In yet another embodiment, said components are assembled in ashipping container and positioned on a boat. In yet another embodiment,the components are assembled in a truck trailer. For instance, thesystem may be built-into or assembled on one or more single drop flatbedsemi-trailer and/or any type trailer. In particular, the media tanks maybe transported on a single trailer, although a second trailer could benecessary to collect and haul spent media due to weight increases.Details of media tanks that would be appropriate size for such trailerare disclosed in connection with FIG. 5B. In yet still anotherembodiment, the components are assembled in a portable container that isdeliverable via helicopter or drone. In some embodiment, components ofthe system feature hooks or latches that can be rigged with the harnessof a drone or helicopter for remote delivery. Details of media tanksthat would be appropriate size for such trailer are disclosed inconnection with FIG. 5B. In a typical mode of operation, a treatmentsystem is delivered to a location where oily water is generated, theoily water is passed through the delivered system, and the watereffluent is discharged on-location.

In one embodiment, the system may be assembled on a ship, vessel orbarge for ballast and bilge, slops, and/or oily water treatment. FIG. 5Bis another preferred embodiment of the disclosed system of oily watertreatment where the system is assembled on a ship or vessel 1000.Referring to FIG. 5B, the hold of a ship 1000 or other sea worthy vesselis shown generally in broken lines, and the disclosed system isassembled above and below deck. It should be noted, however, that theillustrations are merely illustrative and the entire system is capableof being positioned above or below the deck with any component of thesystem above or below deck.

Still referring to FIG. 5B, bilge water, black water, gray water, slops,or other oily waters (collectively “oily waters”) may be collected fortreatment within the system.

Suitably, such oily waters can include but are not limited to vesseldischarges, land based generated waste water, ocean based oil spills,water pumped to the system from vessels or trucks on the dock. Suitably,said oily waters can be accepted to the system at high discharge ratesby shipboard pumps. In a preferred embodiment the ship 1000 may collectthe oily waters via a receiving station that is hard piped or hoses withcam-lock and flange connections. In a preferred embodiment, brass ornylon parts and components are preferred to aluminum components.Suitably, the receiving station features a spill containment pan tocatch spills during connect and disconnect operations. In oneembodiment, a gas or diesel powered three or 4 inch semi-trash typethree/fourths inch centrifugal pump is employed to accomplish collectionof the oily waters, although a peristaltic pump or diaphragm pump couldalso be employed. Pumps may be suitably fitted with cam-locks to attachto the hoses and a four inch pump may be used for high volume split flowdesigns. Suitably, a water meter may be employed to monitor the volumeof water being collected for operation and billing purposes. In apreferred embodiment, a badger model brass four inch meter is employed,but other meters that are approved by applicable jurisdictions can alsobe employed.

In a first step, the collected oily waters may be provided through a bagor screen filter 1100. Suitable bag filters 1100 are large in size andcapable of accommodating high flowrates of oily waters passedtherethrough. In the preferred embodiment, the bag or screen filter 1100is intended to filter garbage, rags, rocks, and other large debris fromthe oily waters.

In a second step, the oily waters may be provided to a primary storagetank 1150 so that the oily waters may either settle into oil and waterlayers or be provided through an oil/water separator. Suitably, theprimary storage tank 1150 contains multiple level sensor to gauge thewater level, the oil level and sludge level within the tank 1150. Theprimary storage tank 1150 may further include multiple overfill sensors,lights and/or horns to signal a full tank 1150. In one embodiment, theprimary storage tank 1150 employs drum skimmers (not represented in FIG.5B) to remove the oil layer and transfer the oil to an oil storage tank1250. In a preferred embodiment, the skimmer is a Weir type floatingfiberglass or plastic skimmer (yellow) that is thirty six inches bytwenty four inches. Suitably, such a skimmer is capable of skimmingwater at a flow rate of eighteen thousand gallons per hour. The waterlayer within the tank 1150 may be provided to one or more primarytreatment tanks 1300. Preferably, the tank 1150 contains submersiblepumps (not depicted in FIG. 5B) for transferring the water layer to theprimary treatment tank(s) 1300.

In a third step, the water from the tank 1150 may be introduced to awater tank 1200 and then to one or more primary treatment tanks 1300 forflocculation and/or coagulation. In a preferred embodiment, theflocculation is a ballast enhanced proprietary multi-element (PME)flocculation system where the flocculation includes ballasting agentssuch as metal particles. Preferably, iron particles are used as theballasting agent. Suitably, three primary treatment tanks are providedwhere: (a) water from the tank 1150 may be pumped through a FLOC blenderin the first primary treatment tank 1300 where FLOC agents and/orcoagulation agents are injected into the water stream; (b) the water andFLOC agent are provided to the second primary treatment tank 1300 tosettle into a water layer and a layer of agglomeration and particulatewastes. Suitably, the second primary treatment tank 1300 may containlevel indicators and overfill sensors. Ultimately, water from theprimary treatment tank 1300 may be provided to a sand filter 1450 whileagglomeration and particulate waste are provided to a filter press 1320.

From the primary treatment tanks 1300 water may be provided to a sandfilter 1450. Suitably, the sand filter 1450 is fiberglass industrialtype of large capacity and capable of handling high flow rates of waterto be treated. In one embodiment, the sand filter is three (3×), twohundred and fifty gallon per minute sand filters in parallel capable ofachieving a total flowrate of seven hundred and fifty gallons perminute. Although, it should be noted that the sand filters could beplaced in series as well for lower flowrates (e.g., two hundred andfifty gallons per minute). Sand filtered water may be provided to thediatomaceous earth (DE) filter 1500. It should be noted that a portionof the sand filtered water (not shown) may be provided to the backwashor flush storage tank 1350 for recirculation into the primary storagetank.

As stated above, sand filtered water from the sand filter 1450 mayoptionally be provided to the DE filter 1500. In one embodiment, the DEfilters are high flow rate DE filters plumbed in parallel. In apreferred embodiment, the DE filters are fiberglass, but steel DEfilters would also be capable of being used in the disclosed system. Itshould be noted that a portion of the DE filtered water (not shown) maybe provided to the backwash or flush storage tank 1350 for recirculationinto the primary storage tank 1150.

From the DE filter 1500 or the sand filter 1450, water to be treated maybe provided to the media tank 1550. Suitably, the media tank is fivefoot tall in-cage cylindrical tank and sized with a seven foot diameter.Suitably the tank 1550 is made of steel and coated with polyester on theinside and outside, In a preferred embodiment, the tank 1550 featuresthree inch cam lock connections at various locations and one eleven inchby eighteen inch manhole in the top. Suitably, the tank 1550 may featureinternal piping (laterals) made of polyvinyl chloride or stainlesssteel. Some embodiments of the tank 1550 have a pressure gauge and airvent on the top and a separate washout hole in the bottom. Suitably, thetank 1550 has an operating or working pressure of thirty pounds persquare inch and a pressure relief valve set to forty-five pounds persquare inch, In one embodiment, the tank 1550 is transportable andfeatures one or both of (a) skid type mounts on its bottom for forkliftpickup or (b) “D” rings attached by brackets to the cage (not welded tothe tank's 1550 frame) for harness pickup. As discussed above, the mediatank 1550 contains a polymer carbon mixture that is lifted by an aircompressor connected to the tank, It should be noted that media tankscan be filled with sand and used as sand filters for large scale cleanupor for turbid water.

From the media tank 1550 treated water may be passed through aultraviolet light (“UV”) treatment system 1600 to purge or otherwiseaddress biological materials from the treated water. Specifically, theUV treatment sterilizes invasive species and disinfects the water bysterilizes/kill germs, viruses, and bacteria. In one embodiment, the UVtreatment system features an external and/or internal light source unitin order to minimize cleaning requirements, Other UV treatments withinternal light sources could be used but are less preferable.

After UV treatment in the UV treatment system 1600, treated water may beprovided to at least one storage tank 1650. Suitably, the storagetank(s) 1650 may be positioned, as shown, below the deck of the ship1000. In a preferred embodiment, the tanks 1650 and the compartmentshousing the same are coated with polyester resin for corrosionprotection. In a preferred embodiment, water may be discharged from thestorage tank 1650 directly in to the ocean from the ship 1000. In oneexemplar embodiment, discharge of water is accomplished via a three inchsubmersible pump that operates at four hundred and eighty volts of powerand delivers five hundred gallons per minute of flow. Suitably, thestorage tank(s) 1650 includes a liquid level gauge for each tank plus avisual and sound alarm for over flow protection. In some embodiments,visual inspection of the capacity of a tank 1650 may be accomplished viaopening the hatch.

From the primary treatment tank 1300, agglomeration and particulatewaste may be provided to a filter press 1320. Suitably, the filter press1320 serves to de-water sludge. Suitably, water pressed from the sludgemay be provided to the backwash or flush storage tank 1350 forrecirculation into the primary storage tank 1150. Preferably, thebackwash or flush storage tank 1350 is a two to three thousand gallonpolymer tank that is (a) light color so that fluid levels can beobserved through the sidewalls of the tank and (b) light weight so thatthe tank can be transported easily. In a preferred embodiment, thebackwash or flush tank 1350 is anchored to the vessel 1000 above orbelow the deck. Pressed sludge or filter cake may be collected in a bin1400 for disposal and or destruction.

Still referring to FIG. 5B, it is contemplated that the system shown maybe removably assembled on a ship 1000 or permanently installed on theship. In the system piping, including connections and tank transfers aredone with polyvinyl chloride and rubber hoses. Three inch polyvinylchloride hoses are preferred, where the hoses have: a helix to allow forsuction; and, cam lock connections with two stainless bands. Preferably,the hoses are provided in twenty five or fifty foot sections with aworking pressure of seventy five pounds per square inch. In oneembodiment the piping and hoses are three inch in diameter with camlockfittings that are preferably brass or nylon rather than aluminum. Inremovably assembled systems, the piping between system components ispreferably located on the ship's 1000 deck rather than internally to theship 1000. Furthermore, piping should include pressure relief valves,where appropriate, to eliminate hose or piping failures. Finally,pumping between components in the system can be done with submersiblethree inch pumps that operate with 480, 660, or 880 volts of power orwith a 220/3 phase voltage.

FIG. 6 is a generalized flow diagram of a preferable mode of operationfor the disclosed system that is applicable to land, freshwater, andocean treatment of oily waters. As shown, oily water may be generated ata remote location. Suitably, a treatment system may be delivered to thelocation of the oily water. Oily water may be treated on location bypassing the same through the delivered system. Finally treated water maybe discharged on-location at the point of treatment into theenvironment.

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at accessible locations. First, oily water isgenerated, e.g., by leaking machinery. Second, a hazmat wastetransporter collects the oily water and transports the waste to a portor ship yard with a ship 1000 shown in FIG. 5B. Third, the waste istreated by the treatment system aboard the ship 1000. Finally, thetreated water is discharged to the ocean. The system of FIG. 7 contrastswith prior art systems shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated on land at inland waterways (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands)or other inaccessible locations via the disclosed system. First, oilywater is generated, e.g., by oil spill. Second, a portable treatmentsystem disclosed in connection with FIG. 5A may be delivered to the oilywater. For instance, the system may be delivered as a kit for setup onsite, delivered preassembled on a truck trailer, or delivered byhelicopter. Third, the oily water may be treated by the deliveredtreatment system. Finally, the treated effluent is discharged to thesource. The system of FIG. 8 contrasts with prior art systems shown inFIG. 2.

Example 1—10,000 GALLON INLAND OIL SPILL ABOVE A SNOW COVERED LAKE: Inone example, gasoline and diesel fuel pipelines may break above amountain lake with ten feet of snow on the ground wherein 10,000,000gallons of oily water may be created by the oil spill inland at thisremote geographic location. The snow makes it difficult to recover theoily water due to coverage and difficulty locating spill accumulationareas. A creek may be contaminated that feeds the lake at 2500 gallonsper minute and the flow of the creek is expected to increase to 10,000or more gallons per minute as the snow melts. In some cases, the oilywater is diluted to a high degree and is difficult to locate without labtesting. In other cases, free product is encountered with almost nodilution by water. Both cases of high dilution and free product cannotbe handled in a typical cleanup scenario.

A third-party response company may or may not be able to collect theoily water from the geographic location. Sometimes, bags of carbon canbe used to treat the lake and sorbent pads can be used to remove oilsheen from the lake. In some cases, the third-party response company canclear roads to the geographic location and collect the oily water withVAC trucks (e.g., 20 VAC trucks) which can collect up to 5,000 gallonsof water each. But, VAC trucks require a road to access the spill and ifthe geographic location is inaccessible, then roads would need to beconstructed or cleared. After collection by VAC truck, the water may behauled by the third party response company to a treatment facility wherethe water is treated and discharged to the sewer or other publicly ownedtreatment work. The haul distance can exceed 500 miles in some cases.

In a treatment process that is typical of the present disclosure, theentire creek may be treated for four months. A coffer dam may beconstructed to prevent the creek from flowing into the lake (e.g.,constructed at a narrow choke point of the creek). In one instance, thecreek may be treated using twelve portable systems that are flown in tothe area so that 3,000 gallons per minute can be treated. The portablesystems may be delivered by truck or helicopter depending onaccessibility. Suitably, the contaminants of the creek may be removed toless than one part oil per billion parts of water (“one part per billionof oil”) so that the treated water may be discharged directly back intothe creek.

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean. First, oily water is generated, e.g., byoil spill from a ship, pipeline or platform. From the creation of oilywaters several possible methodologies can proceed for treating the oilywater. In one embodiment, the oily water is generated on a vessel thatpossesses the disclosed system of FIG. 5B. In that scenario, the wateris immediately treated by the system and discharged to the ocean. Inanother method, a third party collects the oily water and it is providedto a vessel that possesses the system of FIG. 5B for water treatment. Inyet another scenario, a spill response team collects the oily water ontothe storage tanks of a barge or vessel whereafter the oily water istransferred to a vessel that possesses the system of FIG. 5B for watertreatment. Alternatively, the spill response team could return to portbefore providing the oily water to a vessel possessing the systemdisclosed in FIG. 5B. In yet another alternative, a hazmat wastetransporter collects the oily water, e.g., via a plurality of trucks, atport and transports the waste to a vessel possessing the systemdisclosed in FIG. 5B. In any event, the treated water is dischargeddirectly to the ocean. The system of FIG. 9 contrasts with prior artsystems shown in FIG. 3.

Example 2—100,000 GALLON OIL SPILL AT SEA: in one example, 100,000gallons of oil may be spill at sea to create 10,000,000-100,000,000gallons of oily water. Booms may be placed around the spill to corral(contain) the oil so that skimmer removal is more efficient.

A third-party response company may or may not be able to collect theoily water from the at sea location. Typically, the third-party responsecompany would place booms around the spilled to corral (contain) the oilso that skimmer removal is more efficient. Yet still, skimming of thespill would take 240-1440 hours with 2 to 6 skimmers at a rate of 50-150gallons per hour at 10-50% oil-volume recovery. None of the dissolvedoil in the oily water would be recovered by the skimmers. Any watercollected is hauled to port and passed to VAC trucks for haul anddelivery to treatment facilities. VAC trucks (e.g., 10-14 trucks) canonly carry 4,000-5,000 gallons per load to the waste facility. Thisprocess is time consuming. For instance: VAC truck loading times are 3-5hours each with 2-4 trucks used in rotation for transport, the transporttime is 2-4 hours per load, waiting time at the treatment facility is1-2 hours, truck unloading time is 1-2 hours, and VAC truck cleaningtime is 4-8 hours. Time costs are 74-190 hours of occupied dock spaceand 28-81 hours of treatment use for just 5,000 gallons of recoveredwater. Once treated, the water may be passed via piping to publiclyowned water treatment works via sewer lines.

In a treatment process that is typical of the present disclosure, boomsmay still be placed to corral the oil but no skimming takes place.Instead, water is taken up into a treatment vessel, and oil is removedand discharged at the site of collection at less than one part perbillion. In one instance, one or more vessels are used for treatment anddischarge of the oily water at a vacuum rate of 10,000 gallons perminute. Oil volume is recovered at 90% and dissolved oil is capturedwith a total time of 168-200 hours. No dock time is needed and no VACtrucks are used. In the system of the present disclosure, water can betreated at 14 million gallons per day (or more) to produce cleanerdischarge than the publicly owned water treatment works. It should benoted that publicly owned treatment works treat water to standards ofparts per million of oil and the disclosed system treats water tostandards of parts per billion of oil.

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram for the typical cleanup of oily watersgenerated at sea or open ocean. First, oily water is generated, e.g., byleaking machinery on board a vessel service (e.g., bilge water, slopwater, ballast water, gray water, FOG water (fats, oils, greases)).Second, a spill response team collects the oily water from thegenerating vessel and either treats the water according to the systemdisclosed in FIG. 5B or loads the same onto the storage tanks of asecond barge or vessel for transport to a vessel with the systemaccording to FIG. 5B. Alternatively, the oily water may be collected andstored on board the waste generating vessel and delivered to a secondvessel possessing the water treatment system of FIG. 5B. An intermediatestep could involve the barge or vessel containing the waste beingreturned to port before the oily water is provided to a treatment vesselof FIG. 5B. In another methodology, a hazmat waste transporter maycollect the oily water, e.g., via a plurality of trucks, and transportthe waste to a different treatment vessel of FIG. 5B. In any event, thetreated water is discharged to the ocean. The system of FIG. 10contrasts with prior art systems shown in FIG. 4.

EXAMPLE 3—50,000 GALLONS OF OILY WATER ON BOARD (SLOPS): In one example,an ordinary vessel may have 50,000 gallons of oily water/slops onboard.In one mode of treatment, a barge is dispatched to a ship (travel time2-4 hours) where the slops are offloaded at 50-500 gallons per minute(4-16 hours total time) and after which, the barge is returned to dock(2-4 hours travel time). Delays are common due to dock availability.From here, the barge may unload the slops to VAC trucks as describedabove. In a treatment process that is typical of the present disclosure,a barge of the disclosed system may be dispatched to the ship where theoily waters may be offloaded and discharged directly to the ocean.

FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram for the cleanup of oily watersinitially by a third party hazmat waste transporter. First, oily wateris generated, e.g., by oil spill. Second, a spill response team assesseswhether the waste can be accessed and IF NOT a portable system describedin connection with FIG. 5A is provided, the oily water is treated anddischarged on-location or ELSE roads or other pathways are built to theoily water. Third, a hazmat waste transporter collects the oily water,e.g., via a plurality of trucks, and transports the waste to a ship orvessel based treatment facility described in connection with FIG. 5B anddischarged to the ocean.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for (a) changing a vessel's bilge and/or otherwaste waters to ballast water via the disclosed system of oily watertreatment and (b) simultaneously providing waste water treatment and/orcollection services and fueling services to a single vessel. As shown inthe figure, a ship/vessel with low fuel and containing gray water, blackwater, bilge water, or foreign ballast water may be desirous ofrefueling and responsibly discharging its waste waters. In a typicalprior art scenario (not shown in FIG. 12), both (a) a third party hazmattransporter is required (as described in FIG. 1, 3 or 4) to collect thewaste and deliver the same to a land based treatment facility and (b) athird party fueling service must be hired for refueling the ship orvessel. The prior art scenario (not shown in FIG. 12) is time consumingbecause the third-party hazmat services and third-party refuelingservices do not simultaneously connect to the ship or vessel becausesuch simultaneous connection is logistically improbable. In other words,the hazmat and refueling services must be accomplished in series ratherthan in parallel. Also, in the prior art scenario (not shown in FIG. 12)foreign ballast water cannot be dumped within 200 miles of shore, so,the foreign ballast water must either also be collected by the thirdparty hazmat transporter or taken out to the open ocean before theballast can be filled with fresh local waters. The disclosed systemaddresses these prior art scenarios. Referring again to FIG. 12, a shipor vessel based system (as set forth in FIG. 5B) of the presentdisclosure may further include a fuel tank for refueling the vessel sothat the vessel may be refueled simultaneously while the waste watersare collected for treatment. As discussed, the waters may be treatedonboard (see FIG. 5B) and then discharged at a land based facility ordirectly in to the ocean. In an alternative scenario, also depicted inFIG. 12, gray water, bilge water and foreign ballast water may betreated and either (i) returned to the origin vessel (or any othervessel) as clean ballast water without the need for an intermediate stepof loading local ballast water or (ii) taken aboard a ship or vesselsystem (as set forth in FIG. 5B) for treatment while local waters areused to replenish the ballast water of the ship or vessel.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but insteadmight be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more ofthe other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether ornot such embodiments are described and whether or not such features arepresented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadthand scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or thelike, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that mightbe available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use ofthe term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, might be combined ina single package or separately maintained and might further bedistributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporatedby reference in theft entirety as if fully set forth herein.

I claim:
 1. A method of treating water comprising the steps of: a.collecting the oily water; b. separating the oil from the water via anoil-water separator or by a settling tank; c. filtering the separatedwater and providing the separated oil to a holding tank; d. passing thewater through media tanks for cleansing the water to a particularpurity, where the media tanks features a polymer bond media mixturecomprising at least one polymer mixed with activated carbon; and e.discharging the water at sea or open ocean where the oily water wasgenerated, collected, or treated.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of passing the water through an ultraviolet lighttreatment to purge any biological materials in the water prior todischarging the water on location where the oily water was treated. 3.The method of claim 2 where the oily water was treated at sea.
 4. Themethod of claim 2 where the oily water was treated on-board a vessel. 5.The method of claim 2 where the oily water was treated via an oil spill.6. The method of claim 2 where the oily water was treated inland.